Post-transfusion thrombopenia treated with gammaglobulins

Thrombopenia and a haemorrhagic syndrome occurring on the eighth postoperative day were probably related to a post-transfusion purpura, confirmed by the discovery of antiplatelet antibodies not belonging to the PLA1 antigen system. The stabilization of this haemorrhage and a full recovery were obtained by giving high doses of intravenous human gammaglobulins. Blood replacement only rarely induces postoperative immuno-allergologic thrombopenia; heparin is the best known causative agent. It is concluded that platelets should never be given so long as the responsible agent is not formally identified.